Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adverb In a
nervy way.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adverb in a brash cheeky manner
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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A tiny launch, pulling heroically at a huge tow-barge, attempted to pass between; but the boatman shot nervily across her bow, and just as he was clear, unfortunately, caught a crab.
CHAPTER I 2010
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They turned off a humming fridge in the corner of the room, and readied things, whilst I made a few nervily comical smalltalky comments about this-and-that.
Newsnight BBC2 Adam Roberts 2010
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They turned off a humming fridge in the corner of the room, and readied things, whilst I made a few nervily comical smalltalky comments about this-and-that.
Archive 2010-02-01 Adam Roberts 2010
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In the long run, small comes knocking with finger-in-air offers like the Midwest publisher who nervily said "Here's five grand" advance for a book about the porn industry's history of influencing business decisions thru history ...
Richard Laermer: Why Book Publishing Is Dead (Part One) 2008
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Indeed, Chase nervily inserted his David Lynch moment early in the pilot script: Standing behind his home, Tony is beguiled by some ducks that have landed in his swimming pool.
An American Family Biskind, Peter 2007
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Indeed, Chase nervily inserted his David Lynch moment early in the pilot script: Standing behind his home, Tony is beguiled by some ducks that have landed in his swimming pool.
An American Family Biskind, Peter 2007
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By the time Mary came in to him, he was nervily a-shake.
The Way Home 2003
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"Is there only one -- bedroom?"'she asked nervily, and he raised his eyebrows and looked down at her in the slightly amused yet domineering way she was getting used to.
Barefoot Bride Cork, Dorothy 1980
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He spun round nervily to find himself confronted by a venerable and wicked-looking jackdaw, who balanced himself sedately on the high back of a chair and regarded the visitor, his head cocked on one side.
Mystery Mile Allingham, Margery, 1904-1966 1930
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“Gently does it — gently,” Mr Knapp whispered as the two amateurs climbed somewhat nervily over it.
Mystery Mile Allingham, Margery, 1904-1966 1930
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